Aman Kyoto
Takagamine, northern Kyoto; Kyoto, Japan
Aman Kyoto creates a secluded retreat within a forest garden in the city’s northern Takagamine district. Suites and pavilions use a restrained, ryokan-inspired aesthetic, with large windows allowing the trees and seasonal colours to shape the interiors. The garden is central to the experience, encouraging walks and quiet time between visits to Kyoto’s temples. At Aman Spa, indoor and outdoor onsen bathing sits alongside treatments that draw on Japanese ingredients and traditions. The property does not provide a conventional swimming pool or gym, which helps clarify the kind of wellness stay it offers. Dining ranges from the Japanese hospitality of Taka-An to the more convivial Living Pavilion. This is especially appealing to travellers who want a substantial retreat within their Kyoto itinerary, rather than a hotel used only for sleeping. Its strongest quality is the relationship between architecture and landscape. Allowing time for the grounds, bathing and meals makes the setting more meaningful than a rushed overnight stop.